Retractable bed



March 1, 1966 w. A. HILLENBRAND ETAL 3,237,212

RETRACTABLE BED Filed June l5, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 uw Sw NS; www

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- March l, 1966 w. A. HILLENBRAND ETAL 3,237,212

RETRACTABLE BED Filed June l5, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March l, 1966 w, A. HILLENBRAND ETAL.

RETRACTABLE BED Filed June 15, 1964 RETRACTABLE BED 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 15, 1964 RETRACTABLE BED '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 15, 1964 March l, 1966 w. A. HILLENBRAND ETAL 3,237,212

RETRACTABLE BED Filed June 15, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent O 3,237,212 RETRACTABLE BED William A. Hillenbrand, Franklin County, and Francis l. Burst and William D. Drew, Batesville, Ind., vassignors to Hill-Rom Company, Inc., Batesville, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed .lune 15, 1964, Ser. No. 374,974 22 Claims. (Cl. 5-6S) This application is a continuation-impart of our previous copending application S.N. 194,320 filed May 14, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates to h-ospital beds, specifically to electrically driven hospital beds and has for its principal object the provision of a new and improved bed of this type.

It .is a main object of the invention to provide a hospital bed in which the s-eat and leg sections of the bed are automatically moved towards the head board as the head section of the bed is being raised, thereby to move a patient, who is in reclining or sitting position in the bed, towards the head board end of the bed, with the result that a bed-side cabinet adjacent the bed is equally accessible to the patient in all positions of the patient in the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a hospital bed means for automatically raising the knee section of the bed as the head section thereof is raised, thereby to prevent a patient from gravitating towards the foot of the bed when in reclining or sitting position therein.

Another object of the .invention is to provide a hospital bed in which the adjustment of the bed from flat to eleva-ted head section positions and the automatic movement of the seat and leg sections thereof towards the head board are effected by power means and in which said power means is controlled so as to automatically establish limit positions of such movements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hospital bed in which the limit position control locks the control mechanism so that movements past the limit position are definitely prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide manually operable mechanism for moving the limitl position to which the power means may Imove the head section of the bed so as to permit the power means to lower the head section below its flat position into Trendelenberg position as the relocated limit position is reached.

Still another object of the invention is to provide mechanism that is manually operable to enable the power mechanism to lower only the foot section of the bed, thereby to place the bed in the reverse Trendelenberg position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means selectively operable to automatically raise the thigh and foot sections as the head section is being raised thereby to move the bed into contour position.

Another object of the invention is to provide for locking the part of the control mechanism that controls a particular operation of the bed to prevent the patient from initiating that operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retractable h-ospital bed that is of sturdy construction and capable of being kept in proper working condition with a minimum of adjustment and maintenance.

Further objects of the invention not specifically mentioned here will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and claims which follow, lreference being had to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bed embodying the invention ice with the spring fabric removed and with the dust covers in place;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lower or hi-low frame of the bed showing particularly the power platform;

FIG. 4 .is an elevational view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the hi-low frame, drawn to an enlarged scale and showing the power screws and control rods mounted on the power platform;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional View taken along the head end of the seat section of the bed looking towards the foot of the bed;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional View along the line 8 8 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the head end of the retract frame showing the Trendelenberg position control cam;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view showing the linkage between the transverse and longitudinal control rods;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of the head end of the hi-low frame looking towards the foot of the bed and showing the arrangement for placing the bed in reverse Trendelenberg position;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross sectional view through one of the head end posts shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the automatic knee elevating mechanism;

FIG. l5 is a fragmentary elevational view, -partly in section along the line 15-15 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross sectional view o-f a foot end post and leg of the bed showing the steadying mechanism; v

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the manual knee elevating mechanism; and y FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bed in contour position. A

Hospital beds are invariably provided with mattress supporting springs which are ldivided intosections pivotally connected together and operable to elevate the head section so as to place the patient in reclining or sitting position. In hospitals a bedside cabinet is usually positioned adjacent the head of the bed to store bedside utensils and the like used for the comfort of the patient. When the bed is in at or nearly flat position, the bedside cabinet is readily available to the patient; however, when the head section of the bed is elevated, this availability is lost and it is necessary to move the cabinet towards the foot o-f the bed to place it in the same position relative to the patient.

So long as bedside cabinets were confined to storing of bedside utensils, the moving of the cabinet presented but a slight inconvenience; however, modern hospitals employ bedside cabinets which, in addition to the utensils-contain a radio, a telephone, push buttons, and the like, which because of the necessity of connecting these devices to wall mounted outlets makes the moving problem more complicated. In certain instances, such cabinets, in addition, are equipped with a small sink with hot and cold water connections thereto and a drain leading therefrom, which makes moving -of the cabinet extremely difficult, if not impossible.

The present invention solves this problem by providing a retractable bed arranged so that as the head section of the bed is being elevated, the seat and leg portions thereof are moved towards the head of the bed. As a result, when the head section is fully elevated, the patient is moved towards the head board of the bed sufficiently to place the patient in the same position relative to the bedside cabinet as when the bed is fiat.

In its preferred form, a hospital bed embodying the teachings of the present invention consists of a first frame which is preferably of the hi-low variety so that the bed may be lowered to permit easy egress therefrom by the patient When such is permissible, and elevated to the customary height of hospital beds so that nurses may render attention to the patient without undue back strain.

Mounted upon this hi-low frame is a second or retract frame which supports the spring frame of the bed. When the spring frame is flat, the retract frame extends beyond the foot section of the bed and carries on it the foot board thereof. The seat portion of the spring frame is permanently fixed upon the retract frame and head and leg portions of the spring frame pivotally connected thereto in the usual manner.

Carried upon the hi-low frame of the bed is apparatus for raising the head portion and simultaneously moving the retract frame towards the head board. of the bed. Preferably the actuating mechanism is driven by a suitable source of power such as an electric motor; however, if desired, manual actuation may be employed.

A patient in reclining or sitting position in a bed tends to gravitate towards the foot thereof and, in accordance with another feature of the bed of the present invention, as the body and leg portions of the bed are being moved towards the head board thereof the knee section is automatically elevated slightly, thereby to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the patient to gravitate towards the foot of the bed.

In certain instances greater elevation of the knee section of the bed is required, and in the preferred form manually operated devices for elevating the knee section are mounted on and carried by the retract frame of the bed. Provision is also made for manually elevating the foot seC- tion of the spring frame so as to position the bed in socalled contour position.

The present bed is equipped to provide automatic elevation of the thigh and foot sections of the spring frame as the retract frame is being moved towards the head board of the bed during elevation of the head section of the spring frame. Also the bed is equipped to enable the actuating mechanism to place the spring frame in the Trendelenberg and reverse Trendelenberg positions as required.

Mounted upon the seat portion of the bed, in position to be accessible to a patient therein, are control levers through the operation of which the elevating and lowering of the head section and consequent retraction of the body and leg portions of the bed spring are effected. Also mounted upon the control panel are means for controlling the hi-low feature of the bed.

In order to limit the movements of the various sections of the bed spring frame in both directions, automatic controls are provided to disconnect the source of power from the operating mechanism when the section of the bed being moved thereby reaches a limit position. These controls also lock the control levers on the control panel so that even though the patient attempts to move the spring sections past the limit position, such operation cannot result and damage to the operating mechanism is thereby definitely prevented.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail. As will be seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bed consists of ,a lower or hi-low frame and an upper or retract frame indicated generally at 11. Fixed to and extending upwardly from the retract frame is a seat section sup-port 12 to which the head section 13 of the spring frame is pivotally attached. Also pivotally attached to the seat section 12 is a thigh section 14 to which a leg section 15 is pivoted.

As will be seen best in FIG. 3, the hi-low frame is rectangular in shape and consists of side rails 16 and 17 which are attached at the head end of the bed to a cross member 18 which is preferably a channel. Posts 19 and 270 to which the ends of the channel 18 are attached have telescoped within them less ,2 1 which supprt Casters 22- Legs 21 carry at their lower endsthe usual resilient disks which prevent jamming the head board against a wall.

Side rails 16 and 17 are connected at the foot end of the frame to a cross member 23, preferably a channel, to the ends of which posts 24 and 25 are fixed, each of these posts having telescoped within it a caster supporting leg 26 to which casters 27 are attached to support the frame upon a door.

Fixed to and extending between rails 16 and 17 are cross members 30, 31 and 32 each of which is preferably a channel, disposed web uppermost. Also extending between rails 16 and 17 is an angle shaped cross bar 33 disposed with its bottom leg horizontal and its other leg disposed vertically.

Attached t-o the cross member 33 and supported upon the upper surface of the channels 31 and 32 is a power platform indicated generally at 34. As will be seen best in FIG. 8, the power platform 34 consists of angle members 35, 36, 37 and 38 each disposed with its shorter leg vertical. Channels 35 and 36 are spaced apart defining between them a slot 39. In a similar manner channels 37 and 38 are spaced apart forming between them a slot 40. Channels 35, 36, 37 and 38 are attached to the bar 33 in convenient manner such as by welding and the depending flanges of these angles are welded to cross members 31 and 32. The abutting portions of channels 36 and 37 are also welded together as indicated at 41.

At the foot end of the fr-ame the power platform is attached to an upstanding plate 42, FIG. 7. Also upstanding from the power platform and adjacent to the plate is a second plate 43. Adja-cent to plate 43 and attached to angles 35 and 36 are short bifurcated plates 44, FIG. 4, which serve to support a self aligning thrust bearing, as will presently appear. Fixed to channels 37 and 38 is an angle member 45 and also fixed to angles 37 and 38 are upstanding bifurcated plates 46. Fixed to channel 38 and upstanding therefrom is a plate 49.

As will be seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4, one end of the motor is attached to the cross channel 30 by a suitable bracket 51. Integrally connected to the motor 50 is a gear box 50-A to which a control unit 52 is attached. The particular type of motor unit is not of the essence of the present invention and, if desired, a motor unit of the type disclosed in the Darnell et al. Patent 2,913,300 issued November 17, 1959, may .be used. The control unit 52 is likewise not of the essence of the present invention and, if desired, a control unit of the type disclosed in the co-pending application of Burst and Spofford, Serial No. 212,079, filed July 24, 1962, now Patent 3,198,891, issued August 3, 1965, may be used. Stud bolts 48 projected through perforations in plate 42 are threaded into the wall of gear box 50-A to complete the mounting of the motor unit in the frame.

As will be seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, a drive screw 55 is supported by a self aligning bearing 56 mounted in the brackets 44 and coupled to the output shaft of the gear box Sil-A. At the head end of the power platform 34, screw 55 is supported in a suitable journal 57 in the upstanding leg of angle 33. Preferably journal 57 permits a small nutational movement of the screw 55 to prevent binding.

Threaded upon the screw 55 is a nut 58 preferably composed of a low friction material such as, for example, an oil impregnated sintered metal commercially available as Oilite. As will be seen in FIG. 8, a T shaped member 59 which extends from end to end of the nut 58 engages the under surface of the horizontal portions of angles 35 and 36 and projects through the slot 39 therebetween into engagement with the bottom surface of the nut 58 to which it is attached by suitable means such as screws. The flat bottom surface of the nut 58 engages the flat upper surface of the power Aplatform and the member 59 aids in keeping the nut rmly engaged with the platform and in preventing movement of the nut verf.

tically and transversely of the platform while permitting free movement longitudinally thereof.

Also mounted upon the power platform through a selfaligning bearing 60 that is supported in plates 46 is a shorter or hi-low screw 61 the opposite end of which is journaled in the angle 45 as indicated at 61', preferably journal 61 also permits limited nutational movement of the screw 61. Threaded upon screw 61 is a nut 62 to which four cables 63, 64, 65 and 66 are attached. As will be seen in FIG. 8, nut 62 is equipped with a T shaped member 67 secured to it by screws and engaging the power platform to secure a nut thereto. Screw 61 is connected through a suitable coupling 68 to a drive tube 69 that is connected at its other end to an output shaft of the gear box 50-A.

Journaled in angle 45 and plate 43 is a control rod 70 through which rotation of the screw 55 is controlled. Adjacent the control unit 52 is a crank arm 71 fixed to control rod 70 and to which a link 72 is connected, the other end of the link being connected to an ear 73 that projects from a control cam of the control unit. Also journaled between angle 45 and plate 43 is a second control rod 75 which at its end adjacent plate 43 has fixed to it a crank arm 76 to which a link 77 is connected, the other end of this link being connected to an ear 78 projecting from a control cam of the control unit 52.

As will be seen in FIGS. l, 2 and 7, the retract frame 11 consists of side rails 80 and 81 which are connected together at the foot end of the framework `by a cross member 82 which is preferably a channel and is equipped with upstanding posts 83 which serve as tenons that engage in mortices in the foot board of the bed to support that foot board on the retract frame.

Fixed to the rail 80 of the retract frame is a seat support bracket indicated generally at 84 which is channel shaped in cross section and is closed at its outer end by a vertical wall 85. It will be noted that the seat support .bracket 84 extends upwardly and outwardly from the side rail 80 of the retract frame. Attached to the side rail 81 is a similar seat support bracket 86, channel shaped in cross section and closed at its outer end by a vertical wall 87. Attached to the upper edges of the vertical side walls of the seat support brackets 84 and 86 and extending from Vertical walls 85 and 87 are members 88 and 89 best seen in FIGS. 10 and l1. Preferably these members are rectangular tubes and are attached to the vertical side walls of the brackets by welding although other shaped members and other methods of attaching them are contemplated.

As will be seen best in FIGS. l and 2, the head section 13 of the spring frame of the bed consists of side members 91 and 92 connected together by an end member 93. Member 91 is pivotally connected to the vertical wall 85 of the seat support 84 as indicated at 94 and side rail 92 is similarly pivoted to the Vertical wall 87. Pivotedvto the other side of the seat supporting walls 85 and 87 are side rails 95 and 96 of the thigh section 14 of the spring frame and pivoted to the distal ends of these rails are side rails 97 and 98 respectively of the foot section of the spring frame which rails 97 and 98 are connected together lby an end member 99 of the section. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, a mattress supporting spring member usually referred to as a fabric is attached to the spring frame. However, such fabric has been omitted from the drawings to avoid an unnecessary complication thereof.

Pivoted to side rails 91 and 92 and extending downwardly therefrom is a levelizing bar 100 which is preferably composed of a tubing and is maintained in position at right angles to the rails 91 and 92 by a spring 101 tensioned to maintain the levelizer against a stop 102, FIG. 18. Depending from and extending inwardly from side rail 91 is a bracket 103 and fixed to lrail 92 is a similar bracket 104. Connected between brackets 103 and 104 is a tie rod 105 preferably a tubing to which crank arms 106 are fixed, preferably by welding. Connected to the distal ends of arms 106 through a pivotal connection are links 107 which, as will be seen in FIG. 5, are also pivotally connected to nut 58.

Depending inwardly and downwardly from the side rails and 96 of the thigh section of the spring frame are brackets 110 between which a cross bar 111, preferably a tube, is fixed. Fixed upon tube 111 are crank arms 112 to the distal ends of which links 113, FIG. 17, are pivotally connected. Also fixed between side rails 95 and 96 is a generally U shaped tubular member 114 from which posts 115 depend and are equipped at their bottom ends with rollers 116.

Extending inwardly and downwardly from the side rails 97 and 98 are brackets 120 to which a tubular cross member 121 is fixed in convenient manner such as by welding. Fixed to cross member 121 are crank arms 122 to the distal end of which a rack bar 123 is pivotally connected, this bar extending downwardly and terminating in a horizontal portion to which a roller 124 is attached. Fixed upon cross member 121 are crank arms 125 to which a second rack bar 126 is pivotally attached, this bar extending downwardly and terminating in a horizontal portion also carrying a roller.

To protect the working mechanism of the bed from lint and dust and to facilitate keeping the bed in a sanitary condition a dust cover is connected between side rails 16 and 17 of the hi-low frame and extended from the head end of the frame to a point beneath the retract frame when the latter frame is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Attached to the head end section of the retract frame and extending from the end thereof -to the seat section support is a dust cover 131 that is secured to the side rails of the frame in convenient manner such as by screws. The seat section support is equipped with a dust cover 132 and a dust cover 133 extends from the seat section support to the foot board end of the retract frame.

Fixed to the bottom of rails 16 and 17 of the hi-low frame is a bottom cover 134 which extends from end to end of the frame and has sections spaced from the rails forming slots 135, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Dust cover 131 is equipped with an' opening through which links 106 and 107 are projected. Dust cover 133 is equipped with an opening through which links 112 project and also with openings through which posts 115 are projected.

As will be seen best in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, l0, 1l and 18 attached to the plates 85 and 87 of the seat support section ar-e housings in which are disposed a lever 141 and a knob 142. Levers 141 are conne-cted together by a rod 143 that is journaled in the seat support section as indicated at 144. Rod 143 is preferably tubular. Knobs 142 are connected together by a rod 145 preferably also tubular. As will be seen best in FIGS. 10 and 11, a crank arm 146 fixed to tubing 143 extends under the tubing and receives at its distal end one end of a link 147 the other end of which is connected to a crank arm 148 attached to a sleeve 149 that is slideably journaled upon the control rod 70. When either one of the handles 141 are moved in one direction, control rod 70 is rotated in a corresponding direction and when lthe handles are moved in an opposite direction the control rod 70 is rotated in the opposite direction.

In a similar manner, crank arm 150 fixed upon tubing 145 is connected by a link 151, engaged by it at its distal end, to a crank arm 152 fixed to a sleeve 153 disposed upon the control rod 75. Movement of either of the knobs 142 in one direction rotates control rod 75 in one direction and movement of the knob in the opposite direction rotates the control rod in the opposite direction.

Fixed upon the seat support members 88 and 89 and depending therefrom in a plate 154 to which is attached in suitable manner, such as by screws, a Z shaped plate 155. One arm 156 of plate 155 is bifurcated and fitted 7 into a slot in the sleeve 149 so that as the arm 156 moves to the right or left as seen in FIG. 10 the sleeve 149 will slide along the control rod 70. In a similar manner bifurcated arm 157 of plate 155 engages the sleeve 153 to slide it along the control rod 75.

H i-[ow adjustment of the bed When it is desired to elevate the bed from the position in which it is shown in the drawings, knob 142 is moved and through the linkage connecting it to control rod 75 the control rod is rotated in such a direction as to connect the drive tube 69 to an output shaft of the gear box 54)-A. Through operation of the control unit 52 the motor 50 is started in the direction proper to rotate screw 61 so as to move the nut 62 to the right as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Movement of the nut to the right moves cables 63, 64, 65 and 66 causing the posts and bed structure to ride up on the caster supporting legs 21 and 26 thereby to elevate the bed structure. Movement of knobs 142 in the opposite direction results in rotation of the screw in the opposite direction and causes the nut 62 to move to the left as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Hi-low limit positions Pivotally mounted upon plate 49 is a limit position control bar 160 which is connected to control rod 75 by a link 161. Rotation of control rod 75 in t-he direction for effecting elevation of the bed rotates control bar 160 counter clockwise as seen in FIG. 6. As will be seen best in FIG. 8, attached `to nut 62 is a cam plate 162 which extends from the nut 62 and overhangs the control bar 160. Elevation of the right hand end of control bar 160 by the counter clockwise rotation thereof moves the right hand end of this rod, as seen in FIG. 6, upwardly wit-h the result that as the bed approaches an upper limit position, plate 162 cams control bar 160 downwardly in clockwise direction thereby rotating the control rod 75 back to its neutral position. This rotation of the control rod disconnects the motor from the source of current and releases the clutch in gear box in the lmanner best explained in the above mentioned Darnell patent.

Rotation of the control rod 75 in the opposite direc tion to effect lowering of the bed rotates control bar 160 clockwise around its pivot and as the bed approaches its lower limit position plate 162 engages bar 160 to rotate it and the control rod 75 back into the normal positions in which they are shown in the drawings. When the bed is in either limit position, engagement of the plate 162 with the upturned portions at the ends of bar 160 locks the control so that even though a patient in the bed might attempt to operate the knob 142 in such a direction as to move the bed past the limit position, this lock deiinitely prevents such operation.

As will be seen in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 2, 7 and 18, journaled in the retract frame rails 80 and 81 are rollers 170 which engage the side rails 16 and 17 of the hi-low frame. Brackets 171 fixed upon the side rails of the retract frame extend downwardly and under the -hi-low frame rails. These brackets are equipped with low friction buttons 172 engaging the side of the hi-low frame rails and buttons 173 that engage the bottom of such rails. The portions of brackets 171 that extend beneath the rails 16 and 17 project into the slots 135 formed in the bottom cover 134.

Jou'rnaled in the retract frame adjacent the head end thereof are similar rollers 174 which engage the side rails of the hi-low frame to support the retract frame on the hi-low frame. At the foot end of the retract frame is an additional pair of rollers 175, journaled in the rails of the hi-low trarne. As will be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, fixed to the side rails 16 and 17 of the hi-low frame are brackets 176 which extend upwardly and have a horizontal portion overhanging the side rails of the retract frame, brackets 176 being similarly equipped with low friction buttons that engage the top and inside edge of the retract 8 frame rails. Through this arrangement it will be apparent that the retract frame is capable of movement longitudinally of the bed and is restrained from movement transversely of the bed and from separation from `the hi-low frame thereof.

Elevating the head section of the bed and simultaneously moving the retract frame towards the head end of the bed When a patient in the bed desires to elevate the head section of the spring trarne either one of the levers 141 is pulled towards the head section of the bed. Such movement rotates control rod 143 and through the linkage connecting that rod to control 70 rotates the control rod so as to move a post 177 xed upon the control rod 70 from the position in which it is shown in full lines in FIG. 10 to the position shown in dotted lines. This rota- Ition of the control rod actuates the control mechanism 52 to start the motor and to connect the screw 55 to the motor. The screw rotates in the direction -to move nut 58 threaded thereon t-o the left as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Links 107 connected to the -nut 58 and to crank arms 106, depending from the head section of the spring frame, rotate the head section to elevate it from the position in which it is shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 18. Pivoted to the side rail 16 of the hi-low frame is a link 178 which is also pivotally connected to the side rail 91 of the-head section of the spring frame. A similar link 179 is pivotally connected to the side rail 17 and to the side member 92 of the spring frame.

As the retract frame is moved towards the head end of the bed, links 178 and 179 -move counterclockwise, as seen in FIGS. 2 `and 18, thus guiding the head section 13 of the bed upwardly by clockwise rotation around its pivotal connection to the seat section support brackets. Thus it will be seen that movement of the nut 58 towards the head end of the bed imparts both rotary and transverse motions to the crank arms 106 and the tie rod 105.

As a result of this movement of the retract frame towards the head end of the bed, the head and shoulders of the patient in the bed remain at approximately the same distance from the head fboard of the bed when the lhead section of the spring frame is elevated to its maximum inclination as when the spring frame is flat. Ihus a patient will have the same degree of access to articles in and on a bedside cabinet located alongside of the bed iat the head end thereof regardless of the degree of inclination of the head section of the spring frame.

Movement of either control lever 141 in an opposite direction results in operation of the screw in a reverse direction moving the nut 58 to the right as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 and by lowering the head section of the spring frame and simultaneously moving the retract frame from the position shown in FIG. 18 to position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Limit positions control of retract frame On the head end of the plate 154 FIGS. 14 and 11, is a cam surface 180 and when the post 177 is in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 10, as it will be when the bed is being retracted, movement of the plate 154 moves this cam'surface into engagement with the post 177 forcing it back into vertical position thereby rotating the control rod back to normal to eliect stopping the motor and bringing the bed to rest.

Rotation of the control rod 70 in the opposite direction rnoves a shorter post 181 from the position in which it is shown in full lines in FIG. 10 to the dotted line position. Pivotally supported beneath the plate 154 is a cam plate 182 having a cam surface 183 that is moved into engagement with the post 181 as the retract frame approaches limit position and further movement of the frame, cams post 181 back into its normal upright position thereby stopping the motor and lbringing the bed to rest.

When the bed is in one limit position, engagement of the cam surface 180 with post 177 locks control rod 70 with the result that the patient cannot move the bed past this limit position. In a similar manner when the bed is in the other limit position, engagement of the cam surface 183 with the post 181 locks the control rod 70 against movement in the other direction.

As will be seen best in FIGS. 9 and 18, pivotally connected to the head end of the retract frame are levers 185 which have an upper surface that normally is horizontal. As the retract frame approaches its limit position, levelizer 100 on the head section of the spring frame-engages the upper surfaces of levers 185 to bring the head section of the spring frame to rest in horizontal position.

Trendelenberg position In certain instances in the treatment of a patient in the bed it is necessary to lower the head of the patient slightly below the rest of the body. To accomplish this the head section of the spring frame is elevated slightly to remove the levelizer 100 from the levers 185 and these levers Iare then rotated Counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 9. The levers 18S on each side of the bed are connected together by the tie rod or tubing to which a crank arm 186 is fixed. Counterclockwise rotation of levers 185 moves a tie rod 187 to the left as seen in FIG. 9. Cam 182 FIG. 10 has projecting from it a crank arm 188 to which rod 187 is connected. Thus, through operation of levers 185 cam 182 is moved clockwise around its pivotal connection to the plate 154 'and into the position in which it is shown in dotted lines in FIG. l0. Cam plate 182 contains a second cam surface 189. Control lever 141 is then moved towards the foot end of the bed with the result that control rod 70 is rotated to bring pin 181 from its full line position to the dotted line position as shown in FIG. 10. This operation of the control rod 70 causes the motor to operate the screw thereby to lower the head section of the bed and to move the retract fname towards the foot sectionthereof. Levelizer 100 is thus moved downwardly into engagement with the levers 185 which in their elevated position serve as a cam rotating the levelizer 100 about its pivot against the tension of .spring 101 thereby to permit the head section of the spring frame to be lowered below horizontal to put the bed in the so-called Trendelenberg position.

Automatic elevation of knees As is well understood, when the head section of a hospital bed is raised to place a patient therein reclining or sitting position there is a tendency for the patient to gravitate towards the foot of the bed. To counteract this tendency we have provided automatic elevation of the knee section of the bed as the head section thereof is being elevated. To this end as will be seen in FIG. 3 pivotally connected to the rail 16 of the hi-low frame is a nail member 200 to the Vdistal end of which a rail member 201 is pivoted. Pivotally connected to the side rail 17 is a similar member 202 to the distal end of which a member 203 is pivotally connected. Rollers 116 FIG. 1 supported on the lower end of posts 115 FIG. 2 engage rail members 200 and 202.

As will be seen bes-t -in FIGS. 14 and 15, member 202 is spaced inwardly by a spacer 204 that encircles the pivot which lconnects the member to the side rail. Journaled in the side rails 16 and 17 of the retract frame are L shaped levers 205 which are connected together by a cross tube 206. Fixed to the cross tube is a crank arm means 207 which contains at its distal end a pin 208 that projects through a slot in the vertical leg of the member 202. When it is desired Ito pnocure automatic elevati-on of the knee section, crank arms 205 are rotated to position arms 207 in the position shown in FIG. 15. This elevates the rail members 200 to 203 inclusive and as the retract frame is moved towards the head of the bed, rollers 116 -ride up on the rail members 200 and 202 thereby elevating the knee section of the spring frame sufficiently to counteract the gravitational tendency of the patient but not sufiiciently to introduce objectionable impairment of circulation to the legs and feet of the patient. Further movement of the retract frame beings rollers 1'16 into engagement with the members 201 and 203 which, it will be observed, are disposed horizontally so that the knee section of the spring frame is not elevated beyond a predeterminedvposit-ion even .though elevation of the head section of the spring fra-me and further movement of the retract frame continues after this predetermined position is reached. As will be seen best in FIGS. 2 and 18, rollers 124 rest in Va depressed portion 136 of the dust cover 133 located `adjacent the foot end of the retract frame. As the knee section is being elevated, these rollers travel along the retract frame towards the head end of that frame.

Automatic contour position As recovery of the patient in the-bed progresses it may be restful to the patient to have the bed in so-called contour position and to this end we have provided links 210 FIG. 4 pivotally connected to the end member 23 at the foot end of the hi-low frame which links carry at their upper ends rollers 211. Journaled in the hi-low frame `side rails are L shaped levers 212 which yare connected together by a suitable tie rod or rtube 213. Fixed to each lever 212 is a link 214 to the distal end of which a second link 215 is pivoted and also pivoted `to the lever 210. Links 214 and 215 together form a toggle and when levers 212 are rotated into the position shown in FIG. 4 the vtoggles rotate levers 210 into vertical position.

As will be seen best in FIG. 18, rollers 211 engage rack bars 123 and 126 and -as a result as the retract frame is moved towards the head of the bed, with the automatic elevation of the knee section in operative position, the foot section of the bed is elevated into lthe position shown in FIG. 18.

Reverse T rendelenberg position In the treatment of a lpatient in the bed it may be necessary to place the patient in the reverse Trendelenberg position, 4that is, with the spring frame ila-t but with the foot section thereof disposed substantially lower than the head section. As will be seen in FIGS. l, 2, 12, 13 and 18 journaled in cross member 18 of the hi-low frame are L shaped levers 220 which are journaled in the member 18. Member 18 is channel `shape and within the channel each lever 220 carries a lever 221 fixed thereto and at its lower end containing a slot in-to which projects a pin 222 fixed in a plunger 223 that is pournaled in an adjacent post 20, as indicated at 224. A spring 225 encircles .the plunger 223 and is abutted against .the end of the bushing 224 and a pin projecting from lthe plunger. As will be seen in FIG. 13, fthe leg 21-A is slotted at 226. When it is desired to put the bed in reverse Trendelenberg position, the bed is elevated to or near its upper limit position to align the slot 226 with the plunger 223. Crank arm 220 is then rotated to move the lever 221 clockwise as seen in FIG. 12 thereby to project the plunger 223 into the slot 226 against the tension of spring 225. With the plunger Vheld in this position the bed is lowered, thereby projecting the bot-tom end of the slot 226 into a recess 227 formed in the bottom of the plunger, which engagement holds .the plunger in operative position against the tension of spring 225 Vso that the crank arm 220 may be released.

As will be seen in FIG. 12, a tie rod 228 is connected to 4the upper end of lever 221 and -to a reversing link 229 that is pivotally mounted in the cross member 18. A rod 230 connected to the other end of the reversing link 229 actuates mechanism Aat the other side of the bed to hold the leg 21 in the hereinbefore explained manner.

With both legs 21 and 21-A yat the head end of the bed thus held in elevated position further lowering of the bed lowers only the foot end thereof thereby to place the spring frame in reverse Trendelenberg posit-ion. Cables 63 and 64 through the operation of which the head end of the bed is elevated yand lowered, go slack during this operation and to insure that these cables remain properly registered with `the lsheaves around which they are eX- tended, rollers 231 are provided and registered with the sheaves thereby to insure proper maintenance of the cables in contact with the she-aves.

Steadyng the foot end of the Iii-low frame As will be observed in FIG. 3, the posts 24 and -25 at the foot of the bed are spaced inwardly of the outer edge of the spring frame to prevent the leg or caster of the bed from being struck by a nurse or doctor attending a patient in the bed. As will be observed best in FIG. 2, the posts at the foot end of the retract frame are substantially shorter-than the posts at the head end of that frame. Since the posts are shorter the legs such as 26 telescoped into those posts must necessarily also be shorter. As a result, when the bed is elevated to its uppermost position, the legs such as 26, project into the post such as 24, only a very short distance. To guard `against undesirable wobble in Ithe bed when in fully elevated position we have provided the arrangement shown in FIG. 16.

Post 24 has within it a sleeve 235 that is spaced inwardly from the post by suitable low friction blocks 236, preferably three in number which may be Oilite, for example, and by other similar members 237. Sleeve 235 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 238 into which projects the sheave 239 `around which cable 65 is extended. The leg 26 telescopes into the sleeve and is spaced therefrom by suitable low friction blocks 240 and 241. As the post is moved upwardly on the leg 26, sleeve 235 is free to move downwardly until a stop pin 242 carried thereby engages a stop pin 243 carried by the post 24. Through this arrangement, when the bed is in fully elevated position, the sleeve depends below the bottom of the post and the le-g is telescoped into the sleeve for a distance suidcient to impart desired steadiness to the foot end of the bed,

Lock out of bed operations It may happen that treatment of a patient in the bed requires the bed to be placed in a particular position and retained there even though the patient may attempt to change the position. To this end we have provided a lbutton 242, FIGS. 3 and 18, journalled in the retract frame at a point beyond the reach of the patient. A second button 243 is similarly located. Buttons 242 and 243 are connected to lock out mechanisms in lthe control unit, fully described in the above mentioned Burst and Spoiford application. To lock out an operation of the bed, the nurse or doctor pulls out the corresponding button to prevent Iinitiation of that function by the patient.

Manual elevation of knee section Although in most instances, elevation of the knees of a patient while the patient is lying substantially flat is `forbidden by the attending physician, there are instances where the elevation of the patients knees and legs may be required. The bed forming the subject matter of the instant application is not equipped to elevate the knee section by power means but rather manual means are provided. As will be seen in FIGS. 7 and 17, projecting inwardly from the side rail 81 of the retract frame is a bracket 250 in which one end of a screw 251 is journaled. Depending from the seat support frame is a member 252 in which the other end of the screw 251 is journaled. A drive tube 253 extends to the foot board of the bed and is journaled therein. A crank 254 normally positioned within a pocket 255, FIG. 18, in the foot board is connected to the drive tube 253, `a nut 256 threaded upon the screw 251 is pivoted to the link 113 which extend to and lare connected to crank 112 as hereinbefore explained. It will be `observed that the pin by which the link 113 is connected to -the crank 112 extends through a slot 257 in the link 113. This arrangement makes possible automatic elevation of the knee section of the spring frame while the nut 256 and link 113 remain stationary,

Manual operation of the foot section ofthe spring frame As will be seen best in FIG. 18, upstanding from the distal ends of the links 123 and 126 are post-like me-mbers 258 upon which supporting bosses 259 xed on the end rail 99 of the spring frame normally rest to support the foot section of the spring frame in horizontal position. Pivotally connected to the foot section 99 of the spring frame are levers 260 and 261 which are connected together at their distal ends by a cross rod 262 which normally rests in the uppermost notches in rack bars 123 and 126. Should further elevation `of the foot section of the bed be desired, that section can be lifted manually to move cross rod 262 out of engagement with t-he uppermost notches and into engagement with other notches of the bars 123 and 126 thereby to impart to the foot section of the spring frame a desired degree of elevation.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the bed of the present invention provides a new innovation in hospital beds, namely an arrangement whereby the patient in the bed maintains the same degree of access to articles in and on a bedside cabinet regardless of the degree of elevat-ion of the head section of the spring .frame of the bed. By providing a retract frame that carries the spring frame and providing power means to move that retract frame towards the head board of the bed `and to simultaneously move the head section of the spring fra-me into a position inclined with respect to the remainder of the spring frame, we add to the `further comfort of the patient. By providing means for automatically elevating the knee section of the spring frame as the head section is elevated we eliminate the tendency of the patient to gravi-A tate towards the foot of the bed. By providing for automatic elevation of the thigh and foot sections into contour position, the comfort of patients is thereby increased. By providing power means for elevating and lowering the bed the danger of an ambulatory patient falling during getting into or out of the bed is minimized if not completely eliminated. By providing mechanical controls of the various movements of the bed use of the bed in oXygen enriched atmosphere is possible since the control switches can be hermetically sealed and the danger of sparking in contact with oxygen enriched atmosphere is' thereby eliminated.

While we have chosen to show our invention by illustrating and describing 'a preferred embodiment of it we have done so by way of example only as there are many modifications and adaptations which can be made by one skilled in the art within the teachings of the invention.

Having thus complied with the statutes and shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, what we consider new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is pointed out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hospital bed comprising:

(a) a first frame rectangular in shape and having head andV foot ends;

(b) means for supporting said rst frame on a floor parallel thereto;

(c) a second frame rectangular in shape also having head and foot ends;

(d) a spring frame carried by said second frame;

(e) means for movably supporting said second frame on said first frame for translatory movement longitudinally of said frames;

(f) means carried on said iirst frame yand engaging 13 the second frame for moving the second frame with respect to the first frame;

(g) and interengaged means on said frames for guiding the second frame during -said movement.

2. A hospital bed as specified in claim 1 in which the means for supporting the second frame upon the first frame consists of plural-ity of pairs of rollers with each roller of each pair journaled in one of said frames and engaging other frame 3. A hos-pital bed as specified in claim 2 in which the guiding means includes a pair of `brackets fixed on the first frame and engaging the inner and top surfaces of the second frame, and a pair of brackets fixed on the second frame and engaging the inner and bottom surfaces o'f the first frame.

4. A hospital bed as specified in claim 1, in which the second frame in one limit position overhangs the first frame at the foot end thereof and in which movement of the second frame from said limit position reduces that overhang.

5..A hospital bed as specified in claim 1, in which (a) the spring frame includes a seat section'fixed on the second frame and a head section pivotally mounted on said seat section, and

(b) in which link means pivotally connected between said first frame and said head section operates to move the head section into position inclined with respect to horizontal as the second frame is moved to reduce the overall length of the bed.

6. A hospital bed comprising:

(a) a first frame having a head end and a foot/rend;

(b) a second frame movably supported on the first frame and having a foot end overhanging the foot end of the first frame and a head end positioned Ibetween the head and foot ends of the first frame;

(c) a spring frame consisting of a seat section fixed upon said second frame, a head section pivotally supported on said seat section and extending towards the head end of the first frame, a thigh section pivotally supported on said seat section, and a foot section pivotally connected to said thigh section;

(d) and means on said first frame interconnected with said head section and operable to elevate said head section by rotating it around its pivotal connection to said seat section and to simultaneously move said second frame and said spring frame towards the head end of said first frame.

7. A hospital bed as specified in claim 6 in which said first frame includes longitudinally extending side rails to eaeh'of which a link is pivotally connected near the head end of the frame, the other ends of said links being pivotally connected to said head section at points intermediate the ends thereof.

S. A hospital bed comprising:

(a) a first frame having a head end and a foot end;

(b) a second frame movably supported on the first frame and having a foot end overhanging the foot end of the first frame and a head end positioned 'between the head and foot ends of the first frame;

(c) a spring frame including a seat section fixed upon `said second frame, a head section pivotally supported on said seat section and extending towards the head end of the first frame, a thigh section pivotally supported on said seat section and a foot section pivotally connected to said thigh section;

(d) a pair of links pivotally connected to said first frame near the head end thereof and to said head section intermediate the ends thereof;

(e) a pair of crank arms fixed to said head section near the pivoted end thereof;

(f) an operating link pivotally connected to the distal end of each crank arm,

(g) and operating means on said first frame to which said links are connected, said means being operable to elevate said head section by rotating it around its pivotal connection to said seat section and to simultaneously move said second frame on said first frame to reduce said overhang and to move spring frame towards the head end of the first frame.

9. A hospital bed as specified in claim 8, in which the operating means includes a screw that extends longitudinally of the bed with its axis on the 4median line thereof and in which there is a nut threaded on said screw, to which nut the operating links are pivotally connected.

10. A hospital bed as specified in claim 8, in which cross bar members fixed to the thigh section of the spring frame near the pivotal connection thereof to the foot section depend therefrom and carry roller means at their distal ends and in which inclined rail means on the first frame are engaged by said roller means to cause movement of the spring frame towards said head end to automatically elevate the junction of said thigh and foot sections a predetermined amount.

11. A hospital bed as specified in claim 10, in which the rail means is pivotally mounted on the first frame and in which there is provided cam means for moving the rail means into horizontal position when elevation of said junction is not wanted.

12. A hospital bed comprising:

(a) a first rectangular frame supported on a floor;

(b) a second rectangular frame movably supported on said first frame and overhanging one end thereof;

(c) a spring frame including a seat section fixed upon lsaid second frame;

(d) a screw journaled in said first frame and extending longitudinally thereof;

(e) a nut threaded upon said screw; operating links connected to said nut and to said spring frame;

(f) a motor operable to rotate said screw;

(g) a control rod extending longitudinally of said first frame and journaled for rotation around its own axis from neutral in both directions;

(h) means Afor rotating said control r-od from a neutral to an operating position to effect an operation of said motor to rotate said screw and move said nut therealong and thereby move the second frame with respect to the first frarne;

(i) limit positions defining pins fixed upon said control rod;

(j) and cam means on said seat section moved into engagement with a limit position pin as the second frame approaches a limit position to move the control rod back to neutral and thereby stop the motor when said second frame reaches a limit position.

13. A hospital bed as specified in claim 12, in which rotation of the control rod from neutral in one direction effects an operation of the motor to move the second frame so as to decrease its overhang with respect to the first frame and rotation of the control rod from neutral in the opposite direction operates the motor to increase that overhang.

14. A hospital -bed as specified in claim 13, in which there are two limit position pins spaced apart on the control rod and two cams on the seat section, each cam being engageable with one of said pins to rotate the control rod back to neutral and thereby stop the motor.

15. A hospital bed as specified in claim 14, in which the cam in engagement with a pin locks the control rod against rotation from neutral in the direction that would effect operation of the motor to move the second `frame past the corresponding limit position.

16. A hospital bed comprising:

(a) a first rectangular frame supported on a floor;

(b) a second rectangular frame supported on said first frame for movement longitudinally thereof and overhanging one end of said first frame;

(c) a spring frame including a seat section that is fixed upon said second fra-me;

(d) a power unit mounted upon said first frame and consisting of a motor, gear means, a screw connected to said gear means and a control mechanism;

(e) operating means engaging said spring frame and including a nut threaded upon said screw;

(if) a control rod extending from said control mechanism longitudinally of said first frame and journaled for rotation from neutral around its axis in both directions;

(g) a control rod journaled in the seat section of the spring frame for rotation in both directions from neutral and extending transversely lof the spring frame;

(h) means connecting said control rods together thereby to cause rotation of the transverse control rod to rotate the longitudinal rod;

(i) means in said control mechanism responsive to a rotation of said longitudinal rod from neutral to an operate position for connecting said motor t0 said screw and 'for effecting an operation of said motor to operate said screw thereby to move the second frame with respect to the first frame;

(j) and means on said longitudinal control rod for determining limit positions of said second fra-Ine, which means is operable to stop the motor when cooperating means on said second frame moves into engagement with the control rod means as the second frame moves into said limit positions.

17. A hospital bed comprisingz' (a) a first rectangular frame having head and foot ends;

(b) a second rectangular frame mounted upon the `first frame for movement longitudinally thereof; (c) a spring frame including a seat section fixed upon said second frame and a head section pivotally connected to the seat section and extending therefrom towards the head end of the first frame;

(d) power means f-or moving said second frame towards the foot end of the first frame and simultaneously lowering said head section from upwardly inclined to horizontal position;

(e) means including a cam plate pivotally mounted below said seat section for stopping said power means when said second frame reaches a first limit position in which said head section is horizontal,

(f) and manual means for rotating said cam plate around its pivot to permit said power means to move said second frame through said first limit position into a second limit position and to lower said head section through horizontal into downwardly inclined position.

18. A hospital bed as specified in claim 17 in which the manual means includes cam levers journalled in said second frame at the head end thereof, disposed in horizontal position when the second frame is to be stopped in said first limit position and disposed downwardly inl@ clined towards the head end of the first frame when the second frame is to be moved to the second limit position, and in which a tie rod connects said cam levers to said cam plate.

19. A hospital bed as specified in claim 18 in which a levelizer bar pivotally connected to said head section is spring pressed into position at right angles thereto and engages said cam levers when they are in horizontal position to hold the head section horizontal and is canimed Iby the cam levers in downwardly inclined position out of said right angle position to permit said head ksection to be lowered into downwardly inclined position.

2f?. A hospital bed comprising: (a) a first frame, rectangular in shape and having head and foot ends; (b) means for supporting said frame upon a fioor parallel thereto; (c) a spring frame consisting of a seat section, head and thigh sections pivotally connected to the seat section and a foot section pivotally connected tothe thigh section; (d) means for movably supporting said seat section upon said first frame for translatory movement longitudinally of said first frame; (e) means including an electric motor for moving said seat section and spring frame longitudinally on said first frame; (f) and interengaged means on said rst frame; and head section for swinging said head section upwardly around its pivotal connecting as the spring frame is moved towards the head end of said first frame. 21. A hospital bed as specified in claim 20 having a second means interengaged between said first frame and said thigh section for swinging the thigh section upwardly around its pivotal connection as the spring frame is moved towards the head end of said first frame.

22. A hospital bed as specified in claim 21 having a third means interengaged between said first frame and said foot section for swinging the foot section upwardly around its pivotal connection as the spring frame is moved towards the head end of said first frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,827,641 4/1958 Reichert et al. 5-63 2,836,835 6/1958 Wright et al. 5-68 2,887,691 5/1959 Talarico et al. 5-68 2,913,737 11/1959 McNabb 5-63 3,012,253 12/1961 Reichert 5-68 3,051,965 9/1962 Szemplak et al. 5-68 3,112,500 12/1963 MacDonald 5-68 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A HOSPITAL BED COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST FRAME RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE AND HAVING HEAD AND FOOT ENDS; (B) MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID FIRST FRAME ON A FLOOR PARALLEL THERETO; (C) A SECOND FRAME RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE ALSO HAVING HEAD AND FOOT ENDS; (D) A SPRING FRAME CARRIED BY SAID SECOND FRAME; (E) MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID SECOND FRAME ON SAID FIRST FRAME FOR TRANSLATORY MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FRAMES; (F) MEANS CARRIED ON SAID FIRST FRAME AND ENGAGING THE SECOND FRAME FOR MOVING THE SECOND FRAME WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST FRAME; (G) AND INTERENGAGED MEANS ON SAID FRAMES FOR GUIDING THE SECOND FRAME DURING SAID MOVEMENT. 